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28 CHRISTCHURCH MAIL, MARCH 10, 2016 stuff.co.nz YOURPLACE For a spring tree house, start your planning now ADVERTISING FEATURE Tree houses, by virtue of nature and their builders, come in innumerable shapes and sizes. From slats of wood nailed against large boughs to intricate living spaces fully capable of providing year-round shelter, tree houses of all types have one important thing in common: their construction is best during the cooler months. It is the kindest time to the tree to make any alterations, and once leaves have fallen away you also get the best view of the branch structure and easiest access. Start by taking photos of your nude-as-possible tree. Then go inside and use the darkening evenings of autumn to plan. Pick out your load-bearing branches, keeping in mind that while high is nice, it is also windier up top and more dangerous to access for building and play. If you are wondering whether council consent might be required, now is the time to check. Otherwise, order your parts and tools. Any serious pruning that might While the tree is dormant, fix the large bolts you want for the foundation of your tree house. Point injuries made in the tree at this time allow the tree to focus on repairs come spring, when the growth season starts anew. Now establish where safety Building in the colder months is kindest to trees and provides the easiest access to branches due to reduced foliage. be required to give your structure the space you want should be performed during late autumn or winter. This is because the leaves drop away once they have ceased to do their job of providing energy to a tree, which in turn becomes dormant during the short days and long nights. Prune too soon and the canopy you take leaves from won’t be able to serve as an effective growth engine for the tree. Dead or dying branches should be removed at this point too; tree climbing almost invariably follows tree house construction and weak footholds are a clear hazard, as well as a distraction to your planning. ropes and a pulley system can be attached. Reaching the materials you will work with is an important consideration and traipsing up and down a ladder with unwieldy armloads is both energy consuming and dangerous. A pulley system developed for building can later be fitted to the finished tree house and used by children to bring up their playthings. Once planning is complete, don’t rush the work. Tree houses should be fun projects, built slowly during weekend afternoons with lots of hot tea and Milo, as the builder relaxes in the knowledge that while the cold is a good time to build, users of the tree house won’t fully appreciate it until spring. Making dreams come true  let Cheryl show you the way Need a retaining wall? Have an TerraLock is a NEW, green, low cost, easy-to-install solution P 3 0 Contact: Paul Harries L Mobile 022 342 3621 email: p.k.harries@hotmail.com www.terralock.co.nz DO YOU NEED A NEW WARDROBE? Imagine being able to find everything when you need it. That’s what a well designed wardrobe should do for you AFFORDABLE QUALITY STORAGE SOLUTIONS •Wardrobe designs with a difference • Free in-home no obligation quote • Custom made in Christchurch – no job too big or too small • Locally owned and operated • 100% customer satisfaction • Designed to suit all requirements t 03 942 7132 | m 027 594 2713 | w beyondstorage.co.nz Phone today for your FREE consultation and quote! 41A Shakespeare Road | Ph 366 0525 www.enviromaster.co.nz HEAT PUMP SALE NOW ON! • Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Specialists • Approved installer, supplier and service agent Start construction with the foundation. As with all parts, build as much as possible on the ground. When the floor platform is done, load it with test weights and leave it for a couple of weeks. Walls can also be prepared on the ground. Keep sections small enough to be raised and positioned without difficulty. Once walls are fitted, focus on the roof. Check using a bucket of water and after rainfalls how waterproof it is, repairing as necessary. With the basic structure finished, special touches can then be added at leisure throughout the life of the tree house, customising it as you, the children and the tree grow. Ropes or bridges that might be added for ease of access should be repositioned once a year in order not to constrict growth of the tree. Remember to always stay out of the tree house during bad weather, for while it may be worthwhile to brave the cold to build the hut, your tree house is best thought of as a fair-weather friend. TerraLock erosion control system is ideal for water courses, embankments, slopes and vertical walls. The innovative clip secures the TerraLock units which are then planted and/or hydro-seeded to become a green solution. We supply and install but we can also advise you with DIY. TerraLock cost $6.50 each (+ GST and freight) and uses about 10 units and clips per sq. mt. Product available in Christchurch 6598854AS 6823843AM 6606518AG 6568911AL